Imaging cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an imaging cartridge in which a handle, which is used for mounting the imaging cartridge to either one of two image forming apparatuses in which the attachment/detachment directions of the imaging cartridge are different, does not obstruct the mounting operation of the imaging cartridge to the other image forming apparatus. The imaging cartridge can be attached to or detached from a main body of a first image forming apparatus in a first direction, while can be attached to or detached from a main body of a second image forming apparatus in a second direction that is different from the first direction by 90 degrees. The imaging cartridge includes a pair of handles gripped upon attaching or detaching the imaging cartridge to or from the main body of the first image forming apparatus in the first direction. The handle of the pair of handles, which is positioned at the far side when the imaging cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the second image forming apparatus, is made of a movable handle that moves so as not to hinder the attaching or detaching operation.

1 . An imaging cartridge that can be attached to or detached from a main body of an image forming apparatus, and that has components required for an image formation and a casing,
 the cartridge being capable of being attached to or detached from a main body of a first image forming apparatus in a first direction, and being capable of being attached to or detached from a main body of a second image forming apparatus in a second direction that is different from the first direction by 90 degrees, and   the cartridge including a pair of handles that are gripped when the imaging cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the first image forming apparatus in the first direction, wherein   the handle of the pair of handles positioned at the far side when the imaging cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the second image forming apparatus in the second direction is comprised of a movable handle that moves in order not to hinder the attaching or detaching operation.   
   
   
       2 . The imaging cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the movable handle is mounted so as to be slidable on a guide rail formed to be parallel to the second direction of the casing, and wherein   when the imaging cartridge is attached to the main body of the second image forming apparatus in the second direction, the movable handle is brought into contact with an edge portion of an opening portion at the main body and remains at the edge portion, by which only the casing is inserted into the main body.   
   
   
       3 . The imaging cartridge according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the movable handle is brought into contact with the handle at the opposite side when the imaging cartridge is attached to the main body of the second image forming apparatus in the second direction.   
   
   
       4 . The imaging cartridge according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the movable handle has a pivot portion at its leading end, and wherein   when the imaging cartridge is attached to the main body of the second image forming apparatus in the second direction, the pivot portion of the movable handle abuts against the main body to be folded.   
   
   
       5 . The imaging cartridge according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the movable handle includes a positioning projection that is engaged with a hole formed on the second image forming apparatus, and an engagement hole with which a latch formed on the second image forming apparatus is engaged, when the imaging cartridge is attached to the main body of the second image forming apparatus in the second direction.   
   
   
       6 . The imaging cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the movable handle is pivotably mounted to the casing, and wherein   when the imaging cartridge is attached to the main body of the second image forming apparatus in the second direction, the movable handle pivots through the abutment against the main body of the second image forming apparatus, by which the movable handle is engaged with the guide rail mounted to the main body so as to slide thereon.   
   
   
       7 . The imaging cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the movable handle is slidably provided so as to project from the casing or so as to approach the casing, and wherein   when the imaging cartridge is attached to the main body of the first image forming apparatus in the first direction, the movable handle is pressed by the main body of the second image forming apparatus, and slides along a guide receiving portion formed on the main body to be inserted into the main body.   
   
   
       8 . The imaging cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the imaging cartridge is made by integrally forming at least two or more of a photosensitive unit including a photoreceptor and a charging device, a developing unit at least including a developing roller and a developing device, a toner hopper that accommodates new toner, and a waste toner bottle that accommodates waste toner.   
   
   
       9 . An image forming apparatus provided with at least one of the imaging cartridges according to  claim 1 .